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Blue Comets boast more experienced girls squad

ASHEBORO — The biggest benefit of playing a team loaded with underclassmen is the next season.

The next season is here for the Asheboro High School Blue Comets girls basketball team and coach Terry Allmon said he not only hopes but expects all the experience the underclassmen gained last year to pay dividends this season.

“I think we have a chance to be pretty good,” said Allmon. “I think overall we’re going to be better than last year. They lost so many players the year before and we had to throw so many kids into the fire last year who never played varsity basketball and it’s paying off.”

The Blue Comets finished 9-18 last season, earning a state playoff berth, but falling to Chapel Hill in the opening round. With the majority of points, assists and rebounds returning, there’s good reason for Allmon to be so optimistic. Among the players returning are Laycee Baughman, Kinci Smith and Courtney King.

Baughman, a terrific outside shooter and solid rebounder, will be counted on for numerous duties, while King returns to lead the offense from the point guard slot. Smith has improved each season and will once again be counted on for scoring and rebounding.

“Laycee is going to be key,” Allmon said. “She is running the floor much better than last year. Her defense has improved, her shooting has improved and she was a good shooter last year.”

Baughman and Smith, who led the team in rebounding last year, were both named all-conference.

In King, the Blue Comets have a capable ball-handler who can shoot or drive to the basket.

“She is so much better than last year,” Allmon said of King, who has missed time her first two years because of injury and sickness. “There’s a different air about her confidence. Laycee and Kinci are really playing hard and we’re going to need all three.”

The Blue Comets have plenty of other pieces. Casey Lawrence returns and sophomore guards Meredith Priest and Salem Davidson earned plenty of quality minutes as freshmen. Both could spell King at the point guard spot if necessary.

Atiyah Hamilton and Vangie Borchert could see plenty of playing time as well.

“I’ve been really impressed with the teamwork,” Allmon said. “They are working together as a team so much better this year. They’re making that extra pass. Last year, we were on square one. This year you can say something, and they are picking up things so much quicker. Even new things we’re putting in. The key for us is to continue to play good defense and rebound.”

The only negative that can bee seen is the number of girls in the program. Because of a lack of players, the Blue Comets will not field a jayvee team this year. Last year, the jayvee team played with a very limited roster and not enough girls came out to field a team this year.

“We’ve talked to the girls, we just can’t get them to come out,” Allmon said.

So the Blue Comets will begin the season tonight at Northern Guilford with high expectations.

“If we can stay healthy, I think we have a chance to be competitive just about every night we play,” Allmon said. “Some of these kids have worked spring, summer and fall. I hope it translates into wins. I’m looking forward to the season.”